A

Anesthesia: Drugs provided during a surgical or dental operation that put the child to sleep.

Articulation: Movements of the mouth and airway that produce speech.

Articulation Test: An evaluation which provides information about how speech sounds are formed.

Audiogram: A record of hearing levels or sensitivity.

Audiologist: A person with a degree, license, and certification in audiology (science of hearing) who measures hearing, identifies hearing loss, and participates in rehabilitation of hearing impairment.

C

Columella: The central, lower portion of the nose which divides the nostrils into right and left.

Communication Disorder: An interference with a person’s ability to comprehend others or express themselves (usually in verbal form).

Comprehension: Knowledge or understanding of spoken or written language.

Congenital: A disease, deformity, or deficiency existing at the time of birth.

E

Eardrum: Tympanic membrane which vibrates and transmits sound to the middle ear.

E.N.T.: The abbreviation for ear, nose, and throat.

Eustachian Tube: The air duct which connects the nasopharynx (back of the throat) with the middle ear; usually closed at one end, opens with yawning and swallowing; allows ventilation of the middle ear cavity and equalization of pressure on two sides of the eardrum.

Evaluation: Assessment, test.

Expressive Language: Communication of one’s ideas, desires, or intentions to others, usually through speech or printed words.

F

Fistula: An abnormal opening, usually referring to a hole in the palate after repair.

G

Genetics: The science of heredity (how things pass from one generation to the next).

H

Hard Palate: The front part of the roof of the mouth containing bone covered by mucosa (pink “skin”).

Hearing Impairment: A loss in hearing which may range from mild loss to complete deafness.

Heredity: The total of the physical characteristics, abilities, and potentialities genetically derived from one’s ancestors.

Hypernasality: Speech that sounds overly “nasal,” as if the person is “talking through his/her nose.”

Hyponasality: Denasality. A lack of normal nasal resonance during speech.

L

Language Disorder or Impairment: Inability to communicate normally and effectively due to problems with comprehension or expression of language.

M

Malocclusion: A deviation from normal occlusion, that is, incorrect positioning of the upper teeth in relation to the lower teeth.

Mandible: The lower jaw.

Maxilla: The upper jaw.

Middle Ear: The portion of the ear behind the eardrum. It contains three small bones which transfer sound from the eardrum to the inner ear.

Myringotomy: A minor surgical procedure in which a small slit is made in the ear-drum to allow fluid to drain from the middle ear.

Multidisciplinary Team: A group of professionals who work together to help plan and carry out treatment for patients with cleft lip, cleft palate, and related disorders. The group usually includes surgeons, dental specialists, speech pathologist, and others who meet regularly to evaluate and discuss the patients under their care.

N

Nasal Emission or Nasal Escape: An abnormal flow of air through the nose during speech. Usually indicative of an incomplete seal between oral and nasal cavities.

Nasal Septum: The “wall” that divides the nose into right and left halves. It normally joins the roof of the hard palate like an “inverted 7.”

Nasopharyngoscope: A lighted telescopic instrument used for examining the passages in the back of the throat. Useful in assessing velopharyngeal function.

O

Occlusion: Relationship between upper and lower teeth when they are in contact. Refers to the alignment of teeth as well as relationship of dental arches.

Oral Cavity: The mouth bounded by the teeth in front and the soft palate at the back.

Oral Hygiene: Care of the teeth and gums which is performed at home on a daily basis. This is performed first by the child’s parent or guardian while the child is small and eventually by the child under continued supervision of the parent or guardian.

Oral-Maxillo Facial Surgery: The specialty of dentistry concerned with management of dental and skeletal deformities.

Orofacial: Relating to the mouth and face.

Orthodontics: The specialty of dentistry concerned with the correction and prevention of irregularities and malocclusion of the teeth and jaws.

Orthodontic Care: Dental visits designed to move the teeth into better alignment with one another to improve chewing, oral hygiene, and appearance.

R

Resonance: Vocal quality associated with the vibration of air in the oral and nasal cavities.

S

Soft Palate: The back part of the roof of the mouth containing muscles and mucosa (pink “skin”). The Latin name for the soft palate is “velum”.

Speech-Language Pathologist: An individual with the necessary academic training and experience to be certified or licensed to diagnose and treat disorders of speech, language, and communication.

Speech Defect: Deviation of speech from the range of normal.

Speech Videofluoroscopy: A tape recorded x-ray examination of the speech mechanism during function, focusing on the soft palate (velum) and walls of the throat (pharynx). Useful in assessing velopharyngeal function.

T

U

Uvula: Small, cone-shaped muscular process hanging at the back of the soft palate.

V

Velopharyngeal Closure: The closing of the nasal cavity from the oral cavity which directs air used in speech through the mouth rather than the nose. It requires interaction of the muscles in the palate and the back of the throat.